Galaxy S23 is very close with an expected launch for February. Samsung is setting the stage for what to expect from Android phones in 2023. It’s an exciting time if you’re a fan of Galaxy devices. But the excitement is a lot less this time around, and that’s because of the little budget phone we got this summer.
The Pixel 6a has quickly become one of my favorite phones thanks to its value proposition. For $449, you get class-leading camera performance, a very smart Tensor G1 chipset (one of the Pixel 6 series), and a pocketable form factor. Sure, it lacks a high refresh rate display and above-average battery life, but all told, the Pixel 6a is one of the best phones out there.
It’s so good, in fact, that it made my other two favorite phones, the Pixel 7 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro, less impressive by comparison. They are undoubtedly better phones by any other metric, but the Pixel 6a insanely beats its affordable price.
The only phone that comes close is the $429 iPhone SE (2022). However, despite the more powerful A15 Bionic processor, the cheap iPhone lags behind the Pixel 6a in several other key areas. It has half the storage, one camera, no night mode, a smaller LCD screen, and an older design.
We all know the Galaxy S23 – the Galaxy S23 Ultra in particular – is going to be a great phone. You can bet it will have one of the best displays you can get your hands on, the most powerful chip available for Android phones, and cameras that might even outpace the Pixel 7 Pro. But at what cost?
I doubt Samsung will deviate from its previous price structure. That could mean $799 for the Galaxy S23, $999 for the Galaxy S23 Plus, and $1,199 for the Galaxy S23 Ultra. These are all high asking prices, even on the low end.
The Pixel 6a can do everything I want a phone to do for almost half of what I expect the Galaxy S23 to cost.
The Pixel 6a can do everything I want a phone to do for almost half of what I expect the Galaxy S23 to cost. It takes great photos, even at night, and has intelligence that surpasses many of the best Android phones. This little phone has stolen my heart.
So no, I’m not too excited about the Galaxy S23 because I’ve seen quite a device for most people. Few need kitchen sink phones like the Galaxy S22 Ultra and iPhone 14 Pro Max, especially at these price points. It’s a similar argument I made about Nothing Phone (1) and the topics I discussed with the Pixel 5.
Phone companies like to convince you that you need the latest, highest end device, but odds are, you don’t. The Pixel 6a is practically the perfect phone at $449. It’s more recent cousin, the Pixel 7, at $599, is also a great buy. The Galaxy S23 better have a lot to justify such a price difference between itself and Google’s budget phone.
Of course, I will watch Samsung’s ad with interest and approach the Galaxy S23 series with an open mind for the purposes of my review. But the Pixel 6a has spoiled any excitement I had for a Galaxy flagship in the best possible way.
[ad_2]
